PETALING JAYA: Penangites and Klang Valleyans, look out! Local comedian, content creator, and self-proclaimed “proud Chindian” Gajen Nad will be hitting the stage in the northern state and Selangor this month, in his first hour-long live show, “Professional Mixed Breed”.
Born on the island of great food, people and culture, and raised in a household of mixed parentage, Gajen draws his unique brand of comedy “from constantly disappointing his folks”.
Case in point: after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering and landing a high-paying job as an IT consultant for a global firm, the 33-year-old decided to go into comedy full-time in 2018. Cue the parental sighs.
“For six years, I was a corporate slave by day and a standup by night before I left my day job to pursue comedy and hosting full-time,” he said in a statement.
“When the pandemic hit, I pivoted to virtual gigs – hosting online events, performing virtual standup, even becoming a motivational speaker. Those food delivery fees ain’t going to pay themselves.”
In addition, he began creating content for social media and, thus far, has amassed three million “likes” on TikTok.
Since then, he has not looked back, and never thought his parents would accept him back into the family.
So, what can people expect from his new show? “I’ll be bringing my A-grade material on stage – namely my tailor-made wool suit. And some jokes,” he told FMT.
“This show is the culmination of my favourite bits from the last 10 years of my standup comedy career. I’ll be talking about my family, career, animals, travelling, dating, and education.”
“Professional Mixed Breed” is produced by Laugh Labs Entertainment, founded by fellow local comedian Phoon Chi Ho.
Of late, the Malaysian standup comedy scene has been in the media spotlight following events that occurred at a comedy club last month.
Asked about the overall state of comedic affairs, Gajen replied gravely: “Can you name an industry, company, product, service, artist, or athlete that has never had a downfall or hiccup? None. To me, it’s part of growth.
“I hope people come and see my show, so they can laugh and learn… or at the very least, laugh,” he said.
For those who might be apprehensive about catching a live show in the wake of the abovementioned fiasco, Gajen assures them his brand of comedy is “clean and intellectual” – drawing on his former professional background, where presentations are “corporate-friendly, with no vulgarity, or religious, sexual and political jokes”.
Apart, of course, from being mixed.
‘Professional Mixed Breed’ runs this Friday and Saturday at Loft 29 in Penang, and on Aug 26 & 27 at Stage 1 PJPAC, 1Utama Shopping Centre. For tickets and more information, click here.
Also check out Gajen on TikTok and Instagram.
Loft 29
29, Gat Lebuh Gereja,
George Town, Penang
Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre
1 Utama Shopping Centre,
S611, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama E,
Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor